Three things Jets QB Darnold wants you to know about his rookie season

McCown and Namath aren't the only QBs he looks up to

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold stands on the field prior to a game between the Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. (Douglas DeFelice/USA TODAY Sports)

Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold wrote a first-person letter to the official team site reflecting on New York's 1-3 start and how he's handled the transition from USC to the NFL. He wants you to know three things:

He doesn't only look up to Josh McCown and Joe Namath

Despite beating out the veteran McCown in the preseason, the 21-year-old Darnold said he looked to McCown as a mentor.

"There's not a whole lot I can put into words and say what I want to say about Josh," Darnold said. "He's someone I look up to as a person. When we watch film, he can be like a brother and a coach at the same time. He's a hard-nosed dude who will tell me when I'm wrong right away, but then also say, 'Hey, buddy, that's okay, we'll get back after it tomorrow.' He's going to get on me when I make a mistake because he knows that's the best way I learn."

But McCown isn't the only one. Given he went to USC, Darnold also listed former Trojans like Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart and Matt Barkley as quarterbacks to whom he looked up.

"... to have Joe Namath, someone who very much so made it here, recognize some talent in me," Darnols said, "it really means a great deal to me. That's really special and something I'm going to hold with me for a long time."

He thought his opening pick-six was a big play at first

He scrambled out of the pocket and threw across the field intended for Bilal Powell, but Detroit Lions cornerback Quandre Diggs jumped the route and returned the interception 37 yards for a touchdown.

At first, Darnold thought he made the right decision.

"Unfortunately, I do believe my signature moment so far was actually the first play of my career," he said. "You know, the one that went the other way for six. Funny enough, I actually thought we had a big play until just after I threw it. It sucked. It was a 'wow, okay, that just happened' moment."

Of course, Darnold rebounded tremendously afterward. He threw for 198 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Jets to a 48-17 win.

New York has since lost three straight games with Darnold throwing two touchdowns and four interceptions. But if the Jets can recover from his pick-six in Week 1, then ...

He is confident the Jets will recover from their 1-3 start

Said Darnold: "But the way we bounced back as a team and fought was really special to me and showed our resiliency. We have to continue to find that juice throughout the season even though it can be long and grueling. We're going to make adjustments when they need to be made and I'm very confident in our team. We're headed in the right direction."

The Jets have opened the season with three road games in their first four games, but play three straight games at MetLife Stadium beginning Sunday against the Denver Broncos. And Darnold is excited.

"I can't wait to play in front of the home crowd for three straight games," he said. "Jets fans are amazing. ... Our fans deserve it. They deserve wins."

Jamal Adams highlights Jets selected for 2019 Pro Bowl

KR Andre Robers, K Jason Myers also named AFC starters

Dec 18 | 8:01PM

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Dec 9, 2018; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) lines up for a play against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports (Rich Barnes)

Jamal Adams' Pro Bowl promise from last season has come true.

Adams said he wouldn't miss another Pro Bowl after his rookie season in 2017, and he has lived up to it so far after being named the starting strong safety for the AFC this season.

After fan voting concluded earlier last week, Adams finished first among strong safeties with 249,348 votes. The 23-year-old is having another fine season with 90 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and collecting his first career interception over 13 games thus far.

In the latest episode of The Jet Stream, Jonas Schwartz is joined by former Jets quarterback and analyst on the Jets pre and postgame show, Ray Lucas to discuss Sam Darnold's development and leap forward since returning from injury.

Also, NJ.com Jets beat writer Darryl Slater goes in-depth on the appeal of the Jets head coaching job even if Mike Maccagnan remains the GM of the team.

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Deep Dive on Jets QB Sam Darnold's Week 15 performance

Despite the loss, Darnold was arguably as good as he's ever been as a pro

Despite losing Saturday's game, Jets QB Sam Darnold put together arguably his most complete performance of the season. He ended up with 253 yards and two touchdowns, adding three more first downs with his legs. Darnold completed 24-of-38 passes and didn't have an interception, although he threw five incompletions in a row with the game on the line in the last two minutes.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - With two minutes to go in the game and the Jets trailing and reeling, Sam Darnold made the kind of throw that star quarterbacks often make. It was 4th down and 14 and he fired it 20 yards down field, right on target.

It should have kept the Jets' desperation drive alive. Instead, the ball bounced right off Robby Anderson's hands.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Being forced to sit and watch for three games sure seems to have paid off for Jets quarterback Sam Darnold. He has been terrific in his two weeks back.

One week after his late, game-winning drive against the Buffalo Bills, Darnold gave one of his most impressive performances. Against a playoff-bound team with a strong defense and some Pro Bowl pass rushers, Darnold was sharp and efficient and kept the Jets in the game almost all by himself. He completed 24 of 38 passes for 253 yards and two touchdowns and ran six times for 35 yards.

THE GAME

The Jets (4-9) against the Houston Texans (9-4) at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Saturday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. ET.

THE WEATHER

The Jets and Texans will be just a few degrees away from a snow game … but it doesn't look like they're going to make it. Temperatures should be above 40 at kickoff but will drop through the mid-30s as the game goes on. There is also plenty of rain sprinkled into the forecast throughout the night.

WHAT IT MEANS

They showed a little pride earlier this week against the Bills, but in the process they blew a chance to gain control of their destiny in the race for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. They're only one game behind the Cardinals, Raiders and 49ers in that race, though. So a loss to the Texans here and they're right back in it.

The Jets will be put to the test on Saturday afternoon when they face Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson at MetLife -- the third mobile quarterback New York will face in as many weeks.

Sam Darnold and the Jets are riding high after snuffing Josh Allenand the Bills of a win with a last-minute comeback drive on Sunday in chilly Buffalo. New York can expect another tough game against Watson, a 23-year-old triple-threat making his mark in Houston.

Watson entered the NFL scene as the Texans' No. 12 overall pick in the 2017 draft. He faced adversity after a phenomenal start to his rookie season last year, passing for 1,699 yards in his first six games and tying for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns with 19.

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Jets' Jamal Adams may see his first Pro Bowl after fan vote results

Also, Andre Roberts cracks the top 10 on special teams

Dec 14 | 6:41PM

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New York Jets safety Jamal Adams reacts during the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. (Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports)

With fan voting for the Pro Bowl complete, Adams finished first among all strong safeties with 249,348 votes. The 23-year-old is having another fine season with 90 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and collecting his first career interception over 13 games thus far.

Jets rule RB Isaiah Crowell, WR Quincy Enunwa out vs. Texans

Jordan Jenkins a game-time decision

Dec 13 | 12:52PM

New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell is escorted off the field after being injured against the Buffalo Bills during the first quarter at New Era Field. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets ruled running back Isaiah Crowell and wide receiver Quincy Enunwa out for Saturday's game against the Texans, while outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins will be a game-time decision.

Crowell left Sunday's 27-23 win over the Bills in the first half with a foot injury and did not return. Elijah McGuire recorded 60 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards in Crowell's absence, scoring the game-winning 1-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Enunwa did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday with an ankle injury. He missed two games in October with a sprained ankle.

Jets RB Elijah McGuire making most of bigger role in offense

'You've always got to be ready when you're number's called'

Dec 13 | 10:39AM

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New York Jets running back Elijah McGuire celebrates his game-winning touchdown with offensive guard Brian Winters and offensive guard Dakota Dozier against the Buffalo Bills during the fourth quarter at New Era Field. (Rich Barnes/USA TODAY Sports)

McGuire totaled 83 yards from scrimmage, the most he's had since Week 4 in 2017, and scored the game-winning 1-yard touchdown in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Bills after Crowell left the game with a foot injury.

WATCH: Jets ILB Avery Williamson says 'there's a lot riding' on New York's final three games

Head coach Todd Bowles thinks three wins are "salvageable"

Dec 12 | 9:27PM

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Nothing to lose00:01:24

Avery Williamson and Todd Bowles say they aren't taking the last three games for granted. Players must make the most and try and win out.

As the Jets continue to hope for a winning future, New York's three remaining games of the season are important to assess how the franchise's top players will establish themselves.

New York is feeling confident after defeating Buffalo 27-23 on Sunday with a solid return from quarterback Sam Darnold. The 21-year-old went 12 of 18 for 139 yards in the second half and led a game-winning touchdown drive in the final two minutes to snap the Jets' six-game losing streak.

Linebacker Avery Williamson is not taking the Jets' final three games for granted and hopes the team's latest victory will stretch into Week 15 against the Titans. Williamson said it's not just about winning games, but he wants to end the season on a positive note -- by playing the best he can.

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Watch: Jets QB Sam Darnold 'feels great' in practice

Rookie QB was full participant in first practice of week

Dec 11 | 6:53PM

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Sam Darnold optimistic after win00:01:01

Sam Darnold is feeling better physically after the Jets win. Darnold looks to build on his start for the last three games of the season.

Sam Darnold gave Jets fans a scare in the first half of Sunday's 27-23 win over the Bills when he exited the game after re-aggravating his sprained right foot.

The rookie quarterback eventually re-entered the game and gutted it out as he led the Jets to a comeback victory, but there was still concern over his health, especially when he was splitting first-team reps with Josh McCown at the start of Tuesday's practice that was open to media.

But Darnold was listed as a full participant and insists he "feels great."

The 40-year-old DeFilippo was the Jets' quarterbacks coach in 2009, and the team even tried to interview him for its offensive coordinator job in 2017 before the Eagles blocked him. DeFilippo helped develop QB Carson Wentz over two seasons in Philly, but his 2018 season with Minnesota was cut short due to a struggling, Kirk Cousins-led offense.

Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon rehash the Jets win over the Bills. Was the signature win for the rookie QB better than a potentially higher draft spot? The duo also examine the coaching carousel in the NFL and preview the game against the Texans.

Jenkins was heated up after Sunday's 27-23 win over Buffalo

By Deesha Thosar | Dec 10 | 2:09PM

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New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) celebrates with teammates Marcus Maye (26) after recovering a fumble during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) (Seth Wenig/AP)

If Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins was happy about his team's first win in six weeks, he didn't show it. Instead, Jenkins had sharp words for young Bills quarterback Josh Allen and outside left tackler Dion Dawkins after New York edged Buffalo 27-23 on Sunday.

Allen pulled away from Jenkins, who was charging at the quarterback at the 15-yard line, for a 6-yard touchdown on Buffalo's first drive of the game. But Jenkins' emotional response during his postgame press conference was driven by Dawkins' chop block on the first play from scrimmage.

The play caused Jenkins to retreat to the locker room with an ankle injury. Moments later, SNYtv's Ralph Vacchiano reported Jenkins was returning to the field, despite being doubtful to return. Jenkins finished with two tackles, including one tackle for loss.

Until the final drive, Sam Darnold's performance in his return to the starting lineup would be defined by his best and worst play. However, Darnold's composure in leading the team downfield for the late game-winning score in Sunday's 27-23 win over the Buffalo Bills was exactly the kind of thing the Jets and their fans had been hoping to see from him this year.

Fourteen years ago there was a young quarterback in New York who had struggled through an up-and-down rookie season. He showed flashes of his potential, but not nearly enough to convince everyone he would someday be the man to lead his franchise.

Then in Week 17, Eli Manning got the ball with 1:41 remaining and drove the Giants down the field for a game-winning drive capped by a 3-yard Tiki Barber touchdown run. The Giants beat the Cowboys 28-24 that day and it seemed like the moment that Manning arrived.

When Sam Darnold limped off to the locker room after the Jets' first series, it looked like this season was going to go from bad to much worse. This season had always been about him. But he had already missed three games with a foot injury after three terrible performances.

And now he was going to be out again?

Well, though it wasn't exactly a Willis Reed performance, Darnold returned quickly enough to give some life and hope to what's left of this Jets season. He went 12 of 18 for 139 yards in the second half and led a game-winning touchdown drive in the final two minutes to give the Jets a 27-23 win over the Buffalo Bills.

Dec 9 | 2:05PM

New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell looks for a hole to run through during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. (Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports)

Running back Isaiah Crowell left Week 14 against Buffalo with a foot injury. The Jets announced he is questionable to return.

The 25-year-old was sidelined at Jets practice with a toe issue all week, and it could be related to Sunday's injury. Crowell had three touches for seven yards before exiting. Elijah McGuire took over for Crowell as the New York's lead back.

As the Jets enter the final quarter of their schedule in the 2018-2019 season, the reality that there will be no postseason football for Gang Green has set in. But that does not mean players are packing it in on the whole.